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January 29, 2014
2 - Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Corvallis clinic offers aquatic therapy Story and photos by STACIE DUCE for the
Ravalli Republic
CORVALLIS - While physical therapy helps improve a patient’s quality of life after an injury or a debilitating diagnosis, aquatic therapy can be especially effective for mobility and pain management. “I’ve seen aquatic therapy provide amazing results for patients who could not exercise on land, or those with severe immobility or pain,” said physical therapist Christopher Andersen at Corvallis Sports Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Physical Therapy on Eastside Highway in Corvallis. “It’s especially effective for those
with osteoarthritis.” The small HydroWorx pool has a treadmill on the bottom as well as an endless current that allows patients to swim or run while staying in place. Andersen said when a person stands in the 92-degree water chest deep that the weight bearing on joints is only at about 25 percent of their body weight allowing injured athletes to return to regular activity in a fraction of the time and those with physical limitations to increase their range of motion and strength. The pool has a chair that lowers into the water for those unable to use stairs. The difference between therapy in the specialized pool versus a
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regular pool or open water is the resistance, Anderson explained, which can also be hard on joints that are compromised or healing. In addition, the therapy pool is treated with bromine rather than harsher chlorine, he said. The Corvallis clinic is part of a network of physical therapy clinics and certified therapists at five locations from Darby to Florence. The Hamilton and Corvallis locations have the therapy pools and their clinic inside The Canyons Athletic Club utilizes the lap pool when aquatic therapy is prescribed. Andersen said the Corvallis pool is heavily used by four to five patients per day as well as returning patients who rent the pool for a nominal five dollars per hour. “It costs more than that to heat the pool, but we like to provide access for those who have been our patients. “Aquatic therapy gives us an alternative for those who don’t respond to land-based therapy,” he said. “Sometimes, we can treat the acute pain or inflammation in the pool first and then transfer back to regular therapy in order to make a distinct improvement in their quality of life.” He said the aquatic therapy is just one of “several new programs that are unique to our practice and only offered at our locations in the valley. We have a running analysis program where we video a runner and break down every aspect of their running form to prevent or treat injuries and keep them running without pain. We also have a LSVT program that treats any neurological disorder like Parkinsons or MS or someone recovering from a stroke. It really is groundbreaking and the results I’ve seen are amazing. It includes a series of exercises specially designed for nerve protection … The response has been overwhelming.” Andersen said physical therapy of any kind works best when a patient “has the right attitude and an otherwise healthy lifestyle. Most people who are ready to get better do get better. They put in the effort and they see results.”
For more information on aquatic therapy or other specialized options of care, see their website at www.corvallispt.com or call Corvallis Sports Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Physical Therapy at 406.961.3914. The clinic is located at 1050 Eastside Highway in Corvallis.
Christopher Andersen, MPT, demonstrates the benefits of aquatic therapy near the pool at the Corvallis Sports Rehabilitation and Orthopedic Physical Therapy clinic in Corvallis.
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4 - Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Acupuncture clinic opens in Hamilton By STACIE DUCE
June, they’ve offered introductory talks and simple treatments by donation to those interested in learning about acupuncture. They Twenty-one layers of colorful paint. That’s what Brett and Kim will continue to open their door to the community with similar Lewis and their renovation crew found on the vintage door to educational experiences during First Friday festivities in August – their new clinic on State Street in Hamilton. The revitalized wood unless the baby disrupts their plans. door may feel a lot like patients who come for acupuncture treatKim is also certified in providing foot reflexology and Brett conments. tinued working toward his doctorate by specializing in women’s “We don’t just treat the health and advanced neurosymptoms we see, we use a muscular pain management. slightly different approach “I’m good at helping people based on Chinese medicine who are in pain,” Brett said. and close observation that “Whether it’s a migraine or breaks through layers to lower back pain, I can usually find the root of the probprovide that instant gratificalem,” Brett said. “So when tion they’re seeking and I love someone has a headache, it. But as we search for the suddenly she’s like a puzzle root of the problem, patients to me – I want to put all the find that in addition, their skin pieces together so I can clears up or they sleep better improve her overall wellas a result of the treatments.” being.” The clinic has private treatBrett and Kim are both ment rooms similar in design licensed acupuncturists to massage treatment rooms. who received master’s Clients may set appointments degree and clinical trainfor a regular acupuncture sesing from Bastyr University in sion or a full hour of integrative Washington. “Some like to Stacie Duce treatments. call it the Harvard of naturo- Brett Lewis recently opened the doors to a newly renovated space on State Street in Hamilton for Mon“The needles are the flashy tana Family Acupuncture owned and operated by him and his wife, Kim. pathic medicine,” said Brett. part of our medicine, but “Basically, it’s a top-tier program with most of the instructors there’s so much more we provide,” Brett said. From cranio-sacral from China and requires almost double the hours to receive your therapy to something similar to Swedish massage, “We see degree. As a result, you leave a top-tier acupuncturist with plenty enhanced results when combining several techniques.” of experience working with naturopaths, nutritionists and other Patients can also drop in to the community acupuncture room health care providers.” where four lounging chairs are available for treatments to certain Brett grew up in the Bitterroot and graduated from Hamilton ear points, arms or hands when needed. Brett said the commuHigh School 20 years ago. He said he’s thrilled to return home be nity acupuncture treatments are also provided on a sliding scale able to raise their soon-to-be-born baby in Hamilton. based on income. “With that view of the Bitterroot Mountains out my window, I “While an actual acupuncture treatment may take 30 minam home,” he said. utes, we recommend that people plan to spend an hour here to Together, they own and operate Montana Family Acupuncture recover from the effects. Actually, they can stay as long as they on the second block of State Street. Since opening their doors in need. Just bring your own blanket,” Brett said. for the
Ravalli Republic
Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, July 23, 2014 - 5
“For many, they become extremely relaxed, their blood sugar and blood pressure adjusts and they feel entirely revitalized after their body assimilates what is triggered by the needles,” he said. “The cool thing about it is, many feel the effects for the next 24 to 48 hours. Their body continues to react and shift in the direction we’re triggering during the treatment. I tell people all the time, just because the needle is out doesn’t mean the treatment is over.” Brett and Kim Lewis are available at Montana Family Acupuncture on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. They are also open Fridays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community Acupuncture is available Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. For more information, stop by the clinic at 210 State Street in Hamilton or call 406.381.0275. Brett Lewis and his wife, Kim.
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6 - Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, July 23, 2014
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ild
By STACIE DUCE for the
Ravalli Republic
Every day, I’m a little older and more suspicious of my follies. If I forget the name of a familiar face, a little voice in my head whispers the word “Alzheimer’s.” If I lose my keys or forget what I was walking across the house to do, I hear the word, “dementia.” The other day, my 6-year-old didn’t help when we couldn’t remember where she’d left something. She came nose-to-nose, rubbed my temples with her little forefingers and said, “Think!” If only it was that easy. My slightly growing fears aren’t entirely abnormal especially as I watch other family members age and struggle with memory loss. As a result, I’ve found myself reading more online articles about the disease that leaves some – otherwise physically healthy people – living a devastating existence because of a decline in mental abilities. Modern medicine and healthier lifestyles have increased life expectancy, but sometimes, the brain just didn’t get the memo to keep flexing. From word games to vitamins, it seems everyone has
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a simple solution to stay mentally sharp. Findings recently published by brilliant scientists also suggest a few other simple solutions. For instance, the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease recently correlated dental hygiene with deferring the effects of neurodegenerative conditions. Researchers studied 10 brain samples of people who suffered from dementing conditions and discovered they all had gingivitis as well. So in addition to vitamins and Soduko, let the flossing commence. Other scientists suggest that it doesn’t matter what we do if certain elements of our genetic makeup provide unalterable predispositions. Findings were recently presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Copenhagen about the discovery of a protein that we all have but was found to be abnormal in more than 300 autopsies of those suffering mental degeneration at the time of death. The abnormal protein existed in certain parts of the brain in addition to those sticky brain plaques that have become a hallmark of diagnosing the disease. Scientists hope that by identifying the abnormal protein, they can discover a viable treatment and better methods for early diagnosis.
So far, the most interesting findings I’ve read give credit to caregivers for having power to slow down dementia. Caregiver coping strategies have been significantly correlated to the rate of cognitive declines in patients. While rates of individual decline vary immensely, caregivers – whether family members or professional assistants – who are patient, kind and careful with what they say have a significant stabilizing impact. I plan on my writings to be another balm that heals my aging brain – but it won’t hurt to floss a little more and practice patience with those I love.
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8 - Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, July 23, 2014
Nutritional eating for healthy living By AIMEE VELK for the
Ravalli Republic
Nutrition is an integral part of healthy aging, and it is always best to eat a well-balanced diet containing a variety of fruits, vegetables, lean proteins and whole grains. However, another key aspect of eating a balanced diet is consum-
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ing appropriate amounts of nutrients, something we as modern consumers living in a fast-paced society sometimes overlook. Eating to feel satisfied instead of eating until we feel full can be a great way to maintain a healthy body weight as we age. What is the difference between feeling satisfied and feeling full? Often we continue to eat without giving our gut and brain the time needed to get this message relayed, which leads to consuming more food than we actually need. If we give our bodies enough time to process the signals it sends out, we can feel the decreased desire to eat before we feel physically uncomfortable or too full. How long does it take to feel full? It takes about 20 minutes for the gut and the brain to communicate the message that we are full. How do the gut and the brain communicate? Stretch receptors in the cells of the stomach as well as two main hormones are responsible for relaying the message of fullness to the brain from the gut. Stretch receptors are part of the walls of the stomach, and are activated as food and fluid fill the stomach, sending signals directly
Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, July 23, 2014 - 9
from the stomach to the brain via the vagus nerve, a large nerve connected to the brain stem. Cholecystokinin is a hormone made and released by cells in the small intestine as food moves there from the stomach that lets the brain know food is present and being digested by the small intestine. Leptin is a hormone made and released by fat cells. During digestion, leptin is thought to interact with cholecystokinin and another brain messenger, dopamine, to increase the message delivered by cholecystokinin as well as trigger a feeling of satisfaction and pleasure, both of which help the brain recognize when it is time to stop eating. Why do we tend to eat too much? Having a busy and/or stressful job or lifestyle can affect how, when and what we eat. Eating while working is a common way we multitask. Eating while working may cause us to eat more than we need because we are paying attention to the work in front of us, not what is going in our mouths. Going too long between meals and snacks can cause us to feel famished by the time we do eat, which can lead to eating too quickly for the brain and gut to communicate. What are common situations that may contribute to eating too much? When we are very busy or feel stressed, it often seems easier to rely on prepackaged foods or fast food restaurants. Prepackaged foods often come in packages that contain multiple servings. It is easy to eat more than one serving, especially if we are preoccupied by working on a computer, driving, etc. Fast food restaurants are convenient and usually inexpensive, however many restaurants serve portions that are much larger than a standard serving size. This can lead to eating more than we need in a similar way to prepackaged convenience foods – we eat what is in front of us without thinking about what a serving is or how full we feel, again, especially if we are preoccupied. How can eating too much be avoided? Through Mindful eating – savoring food and taking time to eat without other distractions. This way, the brain can register information from smelling food, seeing food and tasting food, which can lead to greater feelings of satisfaction from what is eaten. What are some tips to slow down when eating? • Set eating utensils down between bites. • Swallow each bite before taking another. • Wait five minutes before taking seconds, and make seconds smaller. • Eat low-calorie foods like salads, vegetables, and fruits,
before higher-calorie main courses or side dishes What are some health benefits gained from eating more slowly? Maintaining a healthy weight and managing stress are great ways to take care of your heart as well. Eating to calm down and eating quickly are recognized by the American Heart Association as common habits people have for dealing with stress. Eating slowly and appreciating food can be a useful way to address eating habits associated with stress and help us to feel satisfied with our food choices, which can help with weight loss, a major factor in heart health.
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To vaccinate or not to vaccinate? By LAURA HANCOCK Casper Star-Tribune
CASPER, Wyo. - Danielle Sample, of Casper, used to argue with her mother, a nurse, about her choice to discontinue vaccines for her children. She’s taken heat from medical providers. It’s hard to find a physician in Casper who will treat unvaccinated children. Sample’s oldest son was vaccinated until he was about 18 months old, when she concluded she didn’t want her children getting immunizations after reading some items on the topic. Her second child wasn’t vaccinated at all. And the child she is pregnant with probably will not be vaccinated, either. “I don’t think there is enough research on them to prove that they work,” she said. From vaccinations for the flu to meningitis to smallpox to human papillomavirus, immunizations are believed by most people to save lives and extend lifespans. But a number of people in the past decade have declined to immunize their children, convinced they are not helpful or are even harmful. Yet the medical community blames recent outbreaks on the so-called anti-vaccination movement, also called the anti-vax movement. “The re-emergence of vaccine-preventable diseases that have largely been eliminated is a legitimate health concern,” said Kim Deti, spokeswoman for the Wyoming Department of Health. In Wyoming and also Montana, there has been a marked increase in whooping cough, also known as pertussis, in recent years, Deti said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that is driving up measles cases in the U.S. “There is likely more than one reason for that, but many of the reported cases in our state have been in unvaccinated children,” Deti said. Nationally, 94.5 percent of kindergarteners had the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine, 95.1 percent had the tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccine, and 93.8 percent had two doses of the varicella vaccine for chickenpox, according to the 2012 National Immunization Survey.
Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, July 23, 2014 - 11
Casper mother Hayley Sigler said it may be in the Western spirit to question vaccination of children. “I’m a traditional Wyomingite,” she said. “I question a lot of things.” Sigler chose to stop vaccinating her first child when she was 1 and never vaccinated her second. Other parents who don’t get their children immunized are fiercely independent, too. Since the medical community heavily promotes vaccinations, some Wyomingites may equate that to stifling parental rights. “For some people, it’s like, ‘You’re not going to tell me what to do. And that’s the end of it,’ ” she said. Sigler halted family vaccinations when she looked at their ingredients, she said. She couldn’t figure out their long-term effects. She doesn’t like the fact that they contain mercury or aluminum salts. While researching the issue, she encountered some people in the anti-vax community whom she considers hokey, in particular actress Jenny McCarthy, who believes vaccinations cause autism. “I’ve read Jenny McCarthy, and I’m like, ‘Please stop talking.’ ” Society, Sigler believes, assumes Sigler’s children are diseased because they aren’t vaccinated. But she said she monitors their diets and believes her family lives a healthy lifestyle. It is hard to find a doctor who will treat children who are not vaccinated in Casper, she said. Mark Dowell, a Casper physician who is a board-certified infectious disease physician and a Natrona County health officer, isn’t surprised. “A parent would bring a highly contagious child into their office,” Dowell said. “It’s one thing if the child has been appropriately vaccinated and comes in with something that’s highly contagious. That’s part of medical care. But with moms intentionally not vaccinating their children, it certainly endangers other kids” in the doctor’s office. After his initial vaccinations, Sample believes she saw signs of autism in her son. He acted out emotionally. He had gastrointestinal problems that the physician couldn’t treat. While modifying his diet, she believed that autism could be connected. After changing her diet and stopping vaccinations, she believes the autism effects went away. Medical professionals do not know what causes autism, but rigorous scientific studies show there is no relationship between vaccines and autism, said Deti, the Health Department spokeswoman, and Dowell, the Natrona County health officer. “It’s understandable that families affected by autism seek explanations for its cause,” Deti said. “Unfortunately, science has not yet
given us an exact answer.” Autism is often diagnosed at the same time children get their routine immunizations, Deti said. “Huge numbers of children are vaccinated every year,” Deti said. “It’s not surprising that if some of these children develop autism during these ages, there may be a few times it will be noticed within a day or two after vaccinations.” People who believe there’s a link between vaccines and autism used a 1998 study by British physician Andrew Wakefield as proof. But that study was later debunked when it was discovered that Wakefield had misrepresented the medical histories of the 12 patients in the study. Wakefield lost his medical license. A 2011 study in a British medical journal found there had been damage to public health as a result of his work. Some parents are concerned about the amount of mercury in vaccines, which they believe may be harmful to their kids. Dowell said mercury in vaccines does not cause problems. “There are no studies now that show that it does,” he said. “But most vaccines are mercury-free, and those that have any mercury in them have less than you’d get from eating fish.” It is estimated that 50 million children died before vaccination existed, said Dowell. Modern vaccination research reached a heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, when researchers began to isolate viruses for infections and develop vaccinations, Dowell said. If immunizations didn’t exist today, people would have shorter life spans because infections they got when younger would result in long-term complications. The child mortality rate would be higher, and more children would have long-term injuries from infections, Dowell said. “Vaccines are very safe and are a huge public health success story,” said Deti. “Vaccines are thoroughly tested before they are licensed and are monitored after we begin to use them.” Some diseases, such as polio, have been almost eradicated thanks to vaccinations, Dowell said. He added: “The people who are anti-vaccine have not looked at history, have not looked at the lives it saved.”
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